A massive wagering favorite, Dodson fought through an injured hand and a wily opponent en route to a unanimous-decision win.

The UFC on FOX 3 preliminary fight took place at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. It aired on FUEL TV following a two-bout Facebook stream and prior to the evening’s FOX-broadcast main card.

The bout started as a wild, acrobatic affair, with both men firing off spinning blows and strikes from all angles. The two settled into a more normal routine as the round unfolded, but it was Dodson who was landing with more regularity. Elliott tried to secure an armbar in the lone moment the fight did hit the floor, but Dodson pulled safely free. Moments later, Dodson poked Elliott’s left eye in an accidental scrape. Doctors came in to inspect the eye, which featured a small cut, but Elliott insisted he could carry on.

As the second round opened, Elliott’s was struggling to open his left eye, but that didn’t stop him from attacking with a cartwheel kick. But even as he moved forward with strikes from all angles and stances, Dodson did a better job of measuring the distance and countering effectively landing both punches and kicks in perfectly timed returns. Elliott pushed valiantly forward, trying to grab his opponent at all costs. However, Dodson was always a step faster, running and rolling away when necessary. Another accidental strike by Dodson, this time a swipe to the groin, marred the frame, but it didn’t take away from Dodson’s technical acumen and Elliott’s unquestionable heart and unpredictability.

Dodson appeared concerned with his left hand as the final frame opened, and he was hesitant to throw any strikes with the appendage. That allowed Elliott to open up a bit on his striking attack, but he still could not find the finish he was seeking. Elliott’s best flurries came in the final minute, as he caught a pair of Dodson kicks and punished him with punches, but Dodson survived until the final bell and cashed in on his performance in the opening 10 minutes by taking the fight with three 29-28 scores.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.